Former Lagos COVID-19 Frontline Nurse Becomes a Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the US

By FNA News

A Nigerian nurse who served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos has achieved another significant career milestone after becoming a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) in the United States.

Cherish Samuel, a Nigerian-trained registered nurse and founder of Cherish Living & Wellness, recently announced that she had successfully passed her national board certification examination, officially earning the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) credential.

Sharing the news on social media, Samuel expressed gratitude to God for guiding her throughout her professional journey and reaffirmed her commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care.

“Sometimes it could just be someone to listen to you,” she wrote, highlighting the importance of empathy and accessible mental health support.

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Her achievement marks the latest chapter in a career that has spanned frontline emergency care, international migration, advanced nursing education, and specialist mental health practice.

From Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response to Advanced Nursing Practice

Samuel began her nursing career in Nigeria after completing her nursing education, including training at the Rivers State School of Nursing.

She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic while working at the Eti-Osa Isolation and Treatment Centre in Lagos State, one of Nigeria’s major treatment facilities established during the public health emergency.

At the height of the pandemic, the centre managed dozens of patients requiring specialised care, with healthcare professionals working under intense physical and emotional pressure.

In interviews conducted during the outbreak, Samuel described the challenges of caring for critically ill patients while encouraging Nigerians to rely on verified public health information, observe infection prevention measures, and avoid self-medication.

Her experience on the COVID-19 frontline strengthened her commitment to patient-centred care and reinforced her desire to continue advancing professionally.

Building a Career in the United States

After relocating to the United States, Samuel continued working in clinical practice while pursuing advanced nursing education.

Determined to specialise in mental health—an area she has described as her first professional passion—she enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programme at California Baptist University, where she completed her studies between 2023 and 2026.

Balancing postgraduate education with clinical responsibilities required discipline and perseverance, but Samuel remained focused on achieving advanced practice status.

Passing the national certification examination now authorises her to practise as a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the United States, providing comprehensive mental health services within the scope of advanced nursing practice.

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Expanding Access to Mental Health Care

Samuel currently practises psychiatric mental health nursing in California while also leading Cherish Living & Wellness, where she provides services including psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, telepsychiatry, community mental health care, forensic psychiatry, and patient education.

Her approach emphasises collaboration, respect, evidence-based practice, and compassionate care.

Mental health experts continue to stress the importance of increasing access to qualified psychiatric professionals as demand for mental health services grows worldwide. Advanced practice nurses such as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners play an increasingly important role in improving access to high-quality mental health care, particularly in underserved communities.

Inspiration for African Nurses

Samuel’s journey reflects a growing trend of Nigerian-trained nurses advancing into specialist and advanced practice roles across the world.

Her progression from caring for patients during one of the most challenging public health emergencies in modern history to qualifying as a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner demonstrates the opportunities available through continuous professional development, international education, and lifelong learning.

For many nurses across Africa, her achievement serves as a reminder that professional growth is built through persistence, competence, and a commitment to excellence.

FNA News Perspective

At Fellow Nurses Africa, we celebrate nurses whose achievements advance the profession and inspire others to pursue excellence.

Cherish Samuel’s accomplishment is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the growing global impact of Nigerian nurses. As more African nurses move into advanced clinical, leadership, research, and specialist roles, their contributions continue to strengthen healthcare systems around the world.

Her story reinforces an important message for the next generation of nurses: with resilience, continuous learning, and dedication to patient care, today’s frontline nurse can become tomorrow’s specialist, educator, researcher, or healthcare leader. 👉 Join our Whatsapp channel Here

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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.